Photos: United Nations Day 2023

The event, held annually on the Mookini library lanai, gives everyone a glimpse into the many different countries and cultures represented on campus.

Dancer representing Mexico.
Mexico is represented at UH Hilo’s 2023 United Nations Day celebration held Oct. 20 on the library lanai.

All photos in this post are courtesy of UH Hilo’s International Student Services & Intercultural Education program.

The International Student Association at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo presented the 2023 United Nations Day on Oct. 20. The event, held annually on the Mookini library lanai, gives everyone a glimpse into the many different countries and cultures represented on campus.

With students from about 35 different countries at UH Hilo, the university community lives, studies, and learns with an amazingly diverse group of students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked UH Hilo the most ethnically diverse campus among national universities for many years.

The world celebrates United Nations Day to honor the United Nations organization. This year is a special year because the United Nations has turned 75 years old. There are 193 member countries of the United Nations.

From opening remarks at UH Hilo’s 2023 United Nations Day event:

The United Nations promotes human rights, social progress, and world peace. Promoting world peace is especially important at this time in light of the events happening in Palestine and Israel. As the Secretary-General for the United Nations said: “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.”

“An event like today’s United Nations Day is a time when we demonstrate unity and community among different people and nations of the world Our shared humanity during this time calls for us to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Acts of war, hate, and intolerance are in opposition to our values as international students. We believe in the power of people-to-people exchange as a way to create a more peaceful and just world. International students are here to show that aloha and unity among different people is possible and powerful.

The program opened with a performance featuring taiko drumming from Japan, followed by the Parade of Nations, and then singing and dancing by students from the cultures represented.

PUNA TAIKO

Taiko drummers.
Puna Taiko opens event.

HAWAI‘I

Three students in traditional Hawaiian wear, holding flag.
Hawai‘i Delegation.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Fiona Ryan holds Norway's flag.
Fiona Ryan representing Cayman Islands.

NORWAY

Armand Badsvik holds Norway's flag.
Armand Badsvik representing Norway.

JAPAN

Three women in traditional Japanese kimono.
Japan Delegation.

KOSRAE, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Four students representing Kosrae, one holds their country's blue flag.
Kosrae Delegation.

BARBADOS

Malaika Broadnax holds Barbados flag.
Malaika Broadnax representing Barbados.

THAILAND

Akara Blaies holds Thailand's flag.
Akara Blaies representing Thailand.

ESWATINI

Bayanda Nsibande holds Eswanti.= flag.
Bayanda Nsibande representing Eswanti.

YAP, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Group holds Yap flag.
Yap Delegation.

BULGARIA

Mila Atanasova representing Bulgaria enters the library lanai holding the flag of her country,
Mila Atanasova representing Bulgaria.

ETHIOPIA

Munira Dawid representing Ethiopia stands on the library lanai holding the flag of her country.
Munira Dawid representing Ethiopia.

NEW ZEALAND

Aria Kerebs holds New Zealand flag.
Aria Kerebs representing New Zealand.

POHNPEI, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Two Pohnpei students hold their country's flag.
Pohnpei Delegation.

SWEDEN

Two women from the Sweden delegation hold their country's flag.
Sweden Delegation.

CHINA

Yu Wang holds China's flag.
Yu Wang representing China.

GERMANY

Three people, one holds Germany's flag.
Germany Delegation.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Two students from the Solomon Islands delegation hold their county's flag.
Solomon Islands Delegation

PALAU

Four students representing Palau enter the library lanai wearing traditional clothing, tatoos and woven tops.
Palau Delegation.

COLOMBIA

Manuela Cortes holds flag from Columbia.
Manuela Cortes representing Columbia.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Marshall Islands delegation enters library lanai.
Marshall Islands Delegation.

MEXICO

Group stands holding flag of Mexico.
Mexico Delegation.

FIJI

Josepha Tuiova holds Fiji flag.
Josepha Tuiova representing Fiji.

SOUTH KOREA

Three students from the South Korea delegation hold their country's flag.
South Korea Delegation.

RŪCHŪ

Rūchū delegation of three students hold their country's flag.
Rūchū Delegation.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Two Papua New Guinea representatives hold their country's flag.
Papua New Guinea Delegation.

SAMOA

Samoa delegation dancing.
Samoa Delegation.

Missing from photos: Argentina, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Kiribati, Paraguay, and Taiwan.


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